Northern California’s Napa Valley is smaller than many people think. At 30 miles long and 5 miles wide, it’s a fraction of the size of Bordeaux, another of the world’s most important wine regions, and yet it’s home to more than 400 wineries and five cities or towns, including St. Helena. Boasting a population of 5,400, the picturesque city is nicknamed “Napa Valley’s Main Street” — and with its lively arts scene, stylish boutique lodgings, and landmark wineries, it’s easy to see why.
St. Helena’s walkable downtown is home to the valley’s oldest continuously operating winery, Beringer Vineyards, which offers tours and tastings from $35 per person (all prices are accurate as of this writing). Visitors can admire pretty gardens and rows of vines set around a quaint Victorian-style mansion, the Rhine House, that was built in 1884 as the Beringer family home.
Other wineries conveniently located on the town’s main street include the elegant Charles Krug Winery (tastings from $50 per person) and Clif Family Winery (tastings start at $50 per person), offering organic wines and a popular food truck that’s parked outside the tasting room.
Views over the vineyards
While exploring the downtown area on foot, stop in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park to appreciate the beautiful surrounding scenery. From the park, you can look out over rolling hills and access a trail that leads to the summit of Mount St. Helena. On clear days, you might even see Mount Shasta and the Sierra Nevadas in the distance.
You’ll find additional spectacular views at some of St. Helena’s best wineries and restaurants. Sterling Vineyards is the only winery in the world with its own aerial tramway, a ski resort-style gondola that’s been transporting visitors to its hillside headquarters since the 1970s. Sip wine with views of the peaceful South Valley (tastings start at $55 per person, including the aerial tram ride), then head over to the Tuscan castle-inspired Castello di Amorosa. Less than a 10-minute drive or Uber ride from downtown, the winery offers tours and tastings from $60 a person. Back in town, dine on the wraparound porch at Violetto, where the vineyard views are especially lovely at sunset, or at the Charter Oak, where family-style meals are served overlooking a 3.5-acre farm.
Wine country arts and culture
